The quiet before the storm arrives with some extremely intent moments.
What They Say:
Formality – Allison focuses on Scott and the winter formal; Scott works to protect friends and secrets.
The Review:
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
Learning the truth about what your family does is a pretty shocking thing when that truth is that they hunt werewolves. Kate’s showing the truth to Allison is pretty harsh, but considering who Kate is and how she sees something in Allison that her parents don’t, her method makes the most sense and is in its own way a fairly traditional superhero origin almost. That said, what she’s learned has definitely left an impact on her especially as there’s an implied threat about how she may be in for more trouble when her parents do show her the truth and she reacts badly. It’s not too hard to imagine that should she react in a bad way, that they’d have to deal with her in a less than pleasant manner since the number of people that know the truth has to be kept fairly limited.
Kate definitely has an amusing streak to her when we see her dealing with Derek personally after Allison had left. Revealing that she had a sexual relationship with him is a surprise, but it does fit with how she wants to mess with him on all levels. Bringing that up at the same time as reminding him how much fun she had burning his entire family is right up her alley. The interplay between the two works surprisingly well since he’s playing it cool and collected while she’s toying with him completely, trying to get a rise out of him. And she’s just the warm-up too, as the person who will really torture him is waiting in the wings to get his hands on Derek.
One of the background focuses for this episode that becomes the setting later on involves the winter formal dance. There’s some amusement over the fact that Scott can’t go after recent events since it’d get him kicked off the team and the coach refuses to lose him. So he gets Jackson to take Allison to keep an eye on her while trying to figure out how to sneak himself in there. Amid all of this planning, there’s some really good fun to be had at the mall as Allison gets Lydia to go to the dance with Stiles, which is a favorite part of mine since the two have some fun chemistry. Of course, there’s also an element of danger to be had here as the Alpha is prowling for her and creates a pretty tense encounter her that should send a million bells going off.
Jackson’s life continues to be a roller coaster ride with some big ups and downs which I love watching unfold. After his level of confidence before in taking on Scott, he’s now reduced to nothing but being afraid and fearful of the Alpha and of Scott himself. His drinking is spiking upwards because of the things going on in his life and he’s practically pleading now for the Alpha to take him all the way so he can get past the uncertainty and not knowing, and to have that power as well so he doesn’t have to be afraid. But it’s done in a very weak way that’s wholly appropriate for the way his mind is at this state. Of course, having him run into the hunters doesn’t exactly help him since it throws a lot more uncertainty and fear into his life.
The Allison and Scott part of the episode has a certain teenage charm to it all here and I com-pletely buy into their relationship, though the ups and downs make it a little difficult at times. But with all that both of them have been through, and the secrets that they’re keeping from each oth-er, having it operate in that manner does fit perfectly. Between my own experiences and that of friends and relatives who have had very chaotic times in high school with relationships, this does all come together in a way that works pretty well and lets you get caught up in it. Well, except for that whole being hunted aspect of it by her father.
In Summary:
Teen Wolf sort of slows things down a bit here to focus on moving the relationship pieces around a little and having fun with it, but it also makes the threat of the Alpha even more clear. That’s a regular event across the episode as he makes his presence known, but we see at the start in a very intriguing moment that he’s not invincible as others are standing up to him in a very clear way. While there’s a bit of action to be had here and a great final minute that provides a reveal that has been desperate to happen, the best stuff for me keeps coming back to the supporting cast. I really enjoy both Scott and Allison, but watching the subplots involving Jackson, Lydia and Stiles makes me grin episode to episode. There’s a lot to like here and it’s all setting things up for an interesting finale while still giving the feeling that this is but the beginning of what’s to come in this series overall. Definitely enjoyable, just lacking in something truly significant to raise it up higher.
Grade: B
